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Endoscopy 2006; 38: E7
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-944864
Unusual cases and technical notes

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

A seminal vesicle cyst palpable in the rectum

M. A. van Meegen1 , F. Kokke2 , P. Dik2 , P. Fockens3 , M. A. Benninga1
  • 1Emma Children’s Hospital, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
  • 2Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
  • 3Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Publication History

Publication Date:
11 January 2007 (online)

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A 17-year-old boy presented with a history of chronic recurrent abdominal pain in the umbilical region from the age of 13 years. His bowel habit was unremarkable and he had had no rectal bleeding or difficulty in passing urine. On digital rectal examination, a smooth, firm, multilobular mass was palpable. Extensive laboratory investigations (of blood, stool, and urine samples, including urine cultures) showed no abnormalities. Sigmoidoscopy revealed multiple round impressions covered by normal colon mucosa ventrally in the distal rectum (Figure [1]). Endoscopic ultrasound showed multiple echo-poor lesions, compatible with cysts, cranial and caudal to the prostate (Figure [2]). Computed tomography showed a left-sided mass, 8 × 4 cm in size, between the bladder and the rectum, an absent left kidney, and an asymmetrical bladder (Figure [3]).

Figure 1 Sigmoidoscopic view showing multiple round impressions covered by normal colon mucosa ventrally in the distal rectum (arrow).

Figure 2 Endoscopic ultrasound showed multiple echo-poor lesions cranial and caudal to the prostate. Part of the bladder is seen on the right-hand side of this image.

Figure 3 Computed tomographic scan showing a left-sided mass between the bladder and the rectum.The left kidney was absent and the bladder was asymmetrical.

Laparoscopic exploration was performed and revealed a cyst of the seminal vesicle. The cyst, which contained 250 ml of fluid, was removed. Eight months after the laparasopic resection, no new episodes of abdominal pain have occurred and the patient is doing well. Seminal vesicle cysts are uncommon and are associated with anomalies of the ipsilateral mesonephric duct [1].

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References

  • 1 King B F, Hattery R R, Lieber M M. et al . Congenital cystic disease of the seminal vesicle.  Radiology. 1991;  178 207
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M. A. Benninga, M. D.

Emma Children’s Hospital

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Email: m.a.benninga@amc.uva.nl

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